World War I Today

ANZACs

ANZACs IN Egypt, 1915 - Australian Soldiers with Bulldog Mascots, likely ready for deployment to Gallipoli. The message on the reverse is dated June 2, 1915; the landing at Gallipoli began on April 25, 1915.

Nations of the British Empire, Australia and New Zealand responded immediately to Great Britain's search for troops, forming the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps or ANZACs.

First deployed to Egypt where they defended the Suez Canal, the Corps was central to the invasion at Gallipoli, going ashore at Gaba Tepe, which became known as Anzac Cove. The ANZACs, clinging to cliffs beneath the Turkish defenders, suffered heavy losses. Keith Murdoch, an Australian journalist, played a large part in bringing the disaster to the attention of the British public and government.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the ANZACs were deployed to Salonica, Palestine, and the Western Front. The Australian Light Horse fought in Palestine, one of the few times in the war that mounted cavalry proved decisive. On the Western Front Australian forces fought under General Monash.

Australia's population was less than 5,000,000. 322,000 Australians served in the war, and 280,000 of them were casualties, an astonishing 87% rate. 60,000, Australian soldiers died, an 18% death rate, highest of all national armies.

New Zealand had a population of just over 1,000,000. 120,000 New Zealanders enlisted during the war, suffering 58,000 casualties and 17,000 dead.